The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-01-13

state during the war of the rebellion
for Kansas furnished more soldiers In
proportion to population, than any other
state OF the union, and the percentage Of
her soldiers killed and wounded In battle
was greater than that shown by any
other sIate-it would seem appropriate
that something should be done TO collect
| and preserve, in permanent form, his
tory of the Kansas regiments. Many
other states hsye published such his
tories, and Kansas, grown rich and great,
should not neglect to preserve the
records of the soldiers who made her
heir to the glory Of Their achievements,
and r. iect undying luster on her name.
STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
Section 4 of chapter las, session laws
of 1885, requires the state mine inspector
to submit his annual report to the gov
ernor ION the first day of February each
year" This provision should be changed
SO that the report re Quired may be trans
mitted in season to be presented to the
| legislature on its assembling.
The state mine inspectors report for
| the year 1855 Is herewith submitted.
That for the past calendar year cannot be
| transmitted until after the LIST Of Fehru-
airy, prox.
The coal mining industry In Kansas
has assumed vast proportions, employing
thousands Of men and millions OF capital.
| The output of the mines for 1854, was
| y ,500,0 t0 bushels; that for 1883 ek.
! Gregated 30,00l, 427 bushels; and that Tor
| 1886 will pr0bsbly exceed 35,OOO,OO0
! bushels.
Tue present mine inspector has had
| long and valuable experience a. . work.
ing miner and mining engineer, and his
thorough knowledge OF the business
| qualities him to suggest such practical
! aNrrr Dc IN
| safety and promote the health OF the OPP
eratIves in the mines. His recommends.
lions concerning needed changes In our
| mining laws, the proper ventilation and
drainage of mines, and the machinery
that should be supplied TO guard against
accidents, are, therefore, approved, and
recommended to your considerate arten-
ton.
| THE LABOR BUREAU.
| The commissioner OF labor statistics
has collected, and will present, for your
consideration, many important facts and
| statistics relating to the industrial, COM
! mercial, social, educational and sanitary
| condition of the laboring classes. trust
| the information and suggestions embod.
led in his report will receive your careful
consideration. The statute books OF
| Kansas contain more laws designed
especially to protect woukingmen, and to
secure justice for them, than do those Of
any other state in the union. This benz
eficent legislation began, nearly twenty
seven years ago, with the adoption OF q
constitutional provision tempting the
homestead of every oitizee from forced
| sale, under any process on law. 1t has
| continued from year to year, as wrongs
were pointed out and grievances pre-
| sented, until, as l have said, the statute
! books of the state embrace an unusually
| large number of acts designed to secure
laboriBg men against the encroachments
| OF capital, and to provide remedies for
| Injustice done them. 1t should continue
until the removal of abuses and the vim
dication of justice is complete. Capital
has a right to fair profits; labor has
right to fair wages; and the laws should,
IL possible, guarantee these rights to
each. Self-respectiDg and law abiding
workingmen neither expect nor demand
more than this, and the just judgment OF
an intelligent people will iDdOrse any
legislation having that end in view.
| BOARD Or AGRICULTUR1.
The monthly and quarterly reports Of
the state board of agriculture have main
tanned the high standard OF excellence
that has always distinguished the publi-
cations of that department. Its biennial
report will soon be Issued. and will fur
nish full details of the agricultural and
industrial development of Kansas, the
census of 1856, and many other st3tlS-
tics and facts OF g'prral public interest
and vslue. his depaItm' TT hSs beeAs
and for yesrssto come Will be. invaluable
10 kansas.
SILK CULTURE.
Several agricultural and kindred or
CARNATIONS have called my attention to
the importance of encouraging silk cult
ure in Kansas. The Mennonite settlers
in the central portion Of our state, who
| were extensive COCOON growers in their
native land, and other citizens who have
made practical experiments in COCOON
growing, agree that the soil and climate
of Kansas are especially adapted to EerI-
culture. In several foreign countries
this industry affords remuneratlve en-
ployment to millions of rural and subur-
ban people. If IL can be successfully
conducted In this state, its value can
hardly be estimated. Certainly the sub
jeet is worthy q careful investigation,
ana respectfully suggest that legis-
lative committee be appointed to ascer-
tain such facts as are attainable, and %
recommend such action as may be
I emed necessary or advisable.
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Large and valuable additions to the
collections OF the historical society
have been made during the past
two years. It's library now numbers
S,O27 volumes of books, $50
volumes of bound newspapers, and 1s,
G66 pamphlets. Il has also accumulated
a vast collection Of manuscripts, miscel-
laneous papers, relics and pictures
There are now 753 newspapers anc
periodicals published In this state, and
the regular issues OF these are All beine
: preserved in the library Of tne society
? II is doubtful whether any other state o.
the Union has been able to collect and
| preserve such full and interesting HaoofdI
l | Of its political, material, religious, edu'
j cational, and industrial progress a. Ar
= those now in charge of the Kansas 80
g cisty. These records are growing NOR
K should make ample provision Tor pre-
; serving them, and for adding 20 the col
y lections.
THE STATES AGENT AT WASHINGTON
The report of Hon. Samuel j. Craw
u ford, the states agent at Washington
g embOdies full information concerning
:. various claims Of Kansas against the gen
. ersI government. Some of these claim
e have been finally adjusted; others At
!, still pending. The suggestion made b.
, Gov. Crawford, touching the work in hi
u charge should receive your attention, an
e Instructions should be given for his guild
anee in the further prosecutions OF claim
n in which the state and its people are In
= terested. He is thoroughly familiar wit
= the ri les and methods OF the various de
d pkrtmentg OF the general government
# and Las prosecuted the claims o. KAnss
q with untirin& industry and energy.
= THE PRICE RAID CLAIMS.
o All the information that can Be fur
n nisned concerning these claims Il en-
n bodied In the report transmitted 70 tn
t, legislature during the special session Q
= 1886. The facts Ascertsined and the rec
ommendatioRs made by the Pnc
4 raid commissioners In that repoa
lie are commended TO your attention 9
Is are also the statements contained in ID
8, report Of the states agent at Washington
y touching the same subject.
ID STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
e The state board Of health submits re
g, port of its pTocee dings, and Of the e1Lori
r. il has made to disseminate iDfofmatto
p concerning necessary sanitary TeRuls
Is tons, drainage and ventilation, and q
er best means OF preventing disease, COZ
j. trolling epfdemics, and improving q
oauareI health If the COMMONWEALTH. II